Valerie

Valerie is the youngest of her generation’s 12 siblings, which may help explain her early commitment to anti-authoritarianism. She honors her parents for their unwittingly revolutionary modeling of family and resource sharing: by hosting exchange students even with an already full house, they brought the world closer and inspired love without borders. Valerie credits her siblings for demonstrating quiet self-entertainment, for putting books in her hands or in her path, and for asking critical follow-up questions that dare not go unanswered. She is beyond pleased to be able to continue these family traditions.

Alexa

I was raised in a family that believed in the transformative power of literature – that books could open hearts, change minds, alter the course of a life, and maybe, even of history. The flow of books among us was a current of love and community, an ever expanding circumference of shared reference points and experiences. Reading was passionate, pleasurable, political and – the only activity legitimate enough to get you out of some other thing that needed doing. Needless to say, I recognized a kindred spirit in Valerie, and then in her family, and, well, here I am.

Geena

Geena’s dream is to become a modern day renaissance woman; dabbling in a variety of things to always be growing, learning and expanding her mind. Her desire to be a participant in this project stems directly from that dream (some may even say one of her book requests sparked this whole thing!). Geena is the favorite middle child between her siblings; Thomas and Carmen.

Kieran

I was always a sucker for those seasonal gifts, their familiar rectangular shape and the thrill of the cover reveal. It’s no surprise then that I’m here, getting many recommendations a year & talking about our favorite books. Though I can’t always be counted on to finish the reading in time, the specter of required reading has worked marvels for all the other books I want to read. Find me perched on an uncomfortable chair with anything but the next month’s pick.

Thomas

Thomas is the older sibling to Geena and Carmen, which makes Thomas one of the top 3-5 oldest cousins, depending on how you count it. Thomas has a favorite neuroscience theory, works as a Montessori teacher, and one time at Grandma’s house steered a sled with Sammy and Reuben down the big hill, banked a hard left, and made it over the narrow bridge and into the wide world beyond. Thomas uses the pronouns they/them, and he/him.

Alex

Alex (she/her) is a book dragon who’ll read just about anything but spends most of her time in fantasy realms. When not exploring other worlds, Alex is off adventuring in this one.

Sam

So many books to read, so many coffees to drink. Sam’s got excellent taste in both.

Ginny

Ginny would much rather spend her time playing capitalist board games or chopping off heads, but makes the time to read the best of our roster & share in the discussions. She could do with a little less of the peer pressure, just saying.

Detroit Sam

Detroit Sam is a professional politico, mom of two, sailor lady, and video game enthusiast. She’s known to enjoy a biergarten, likes lifting heavy weights, and is one of those people who insists on being in charge of the fire while camping. She once recommended a book to her husband before they were married and he still hasn’t read it, but now she reads books with his extended family every month, and that’s cute.

Sanami

Sanami (she/her) reads as widely as she travels. She’s currently plotting her season 6 comeback, if it fits around her other book club…

Whomst

Bio incoming

Alyosha

Aptly named after the youngest Karamazov brother, of course this sensitive soul is drawn to our literary circle. Not one to seek out the spotlight, Alyosha can nonetheless be heard softly snorking and occasionally wheezing during the quieter moments of these conversations. Although we cannot say if Alyosha has ever finished any of our chosen books, his showing up and being with each call brings us great joy and comfort.